Champion 15 hurling team announced for 2026
The 2026 Champion 15 hurling team celebrates outstanding talent from eight counties across the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard, and Lory Meagher Cups. These exceptional athletes will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony set for Croke Park this Friday evening.
Source:
GAA News
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⏱️ 2 min read
An impressive selection of players from eight different counties has been named to the 2026 Champion 15 hurling team, recognising the finest performers across the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard, and Lory Meagher Cup competitions.
Derry, crowned Christy Ring Cup champions, are well represented with goalkeeper Seán Kelly, defenders Patrick Turner and Conor Coyle, midfield powerhouse Cormac O’Doherty, and forwards Deaglán Foley and Shea Cassidy. New York, celebrating successive titles after winning the Nicky Rackard Cup this year following their 2025 Meagher Cup triumph, have earned places for dynamic forward AJ Wills and defender Bill Maher, a former Tipperary footballer.
Longford’s 2026 Lory Meagher Cup winning captain Reuben Murray and full-back Seán Lancaster also feature in the team. Prolific Kerry forward Padraig O’Boyle leads the attack, joined by Sligo’s Andrew Kilcullen and Mayo’s Cormac Phillips, whose impact was significant despite their counties not securing silverware. Defensive stalwarts Joe Murray of Leitrim and stylish Tyrone half-back Fionn Devlin complete the squad.
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns praised the players’ achievements, highlighting the honour of being recognised across three championship tiers and acknowledging the pride it brings to families and clubs. GPA CEO Tom Parsons emphasised the high calibre of the squad, noting the remarkable performances that defined the season and the growing quality of hurling at all levels.
The Champion 15 team was chosen by an independent panel of Gaelic games correspondents, with nominations submitted by GPA player representatives. The official awards ceremony will take place at Croke Park this Friday, where the overall hurler of the year awards for the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard, and Lory Meagher Cups will also be presented alongside the Joe McDonagh and Tailteann Cup teams of the year.
Derry, crowned Christy Ring Cup champions, are well represented with goalkeeper Seán Kelly, defenders Patrick Turner and Conor Coyle, midfield powerhouse Cormac O’Doherty, and forwards Deaglán Foley and Shea Cassidy. New York, celebrating successive titles after winning the Nicky Rackard Cup this year following their 2025 Meagher Cup triumph, have earned places for dynamic forward AJ Wills and defender Bill Maher, a former Tipperary footballer.
Longford’s 2026 Lory Meagher Cup winning captain Reuben Murray and full-back Seán Lancaster also feature in the team. Prolific Kerry forward Padraig O’Boyle leads the attack, joined by Sligo’s Andrew Kilcullen and Mayo’s Cormac Phillips, whose impact was significant despite their counties not securing silverware. Defensive stalwarts Joe Murray of Leitrim and stylish Tyrone half-back Fionn Devlin complete the squad.
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns praised the players’ achievements, highlighting the honour of being recognised across three championship tiers and acknowledging the pride it brings to families and clubs. GPA CEO Tom Parsons emphasised the high calibre of the squad, noting the remarkable performances that defined the season and the growing quality of hurling at all levels.
The Champion 15 team was chosen by an independent panel of Gaelic games correspondents, with nominations submitted by GPA player representatives. The official awards ceremony will take place at Croke Park this Friday, where the overall hurler of the year awards for the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard, and Lory Meagher Cups will also be presented alongside the Joe McDonagh and Tailteann Cup teams of the year.
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